Landon Donovan Caps Off Memorable International Career as U.S. MNT Draws Ecuador 1-1

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut (Oct. 10, 2014) – U.S. Men’s National Team forward Landon Donovan concluded his historic international career during a 1-1 tie against Ecuador in front of 36,265 fans at Rentschler Field. Donovan concludes his 15-year international career as the USA’s all-time leader in goals (57), assists (58), points (172) and minutes (12,853). His 157 games played rank second all-time to Cobi Jones (164).

Donovan helped set up the team’s goal and then hit the post himself before departing after 41 minutes to a huge ovation from the crowd and congratulations from all the U.S. MNT players and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Donovan passed off the captain’s armband to Jozy Altidore, clapped and waved to the crowd before officially exiting the match for midfielder Joe Corona. (#LegenD: Donovan’s Final Bow)

Donovan’s 157th and final match for the U.S. MNT included two strong scoring chances – a ninth-minute header that was saved by Ecuador goalkeeper Maximo Bangura, followed by a 25th-minute shot that hit the right post. Donovan was set up by Jozy Altidore in that second sequence, and was a mere inches away doubling the USA’s 1-0 lead.

Earlier in the match, Donovan was a part of the USA’s buildup play before their goal. He crossed to the far post where DeAndre Yedlin laid the ball back for an onrushing Mix Diskerud to finish the play. It appeared the U.S. would hold on to that advantage, but Enner Valencia’s dipping 88th-minute goal helped Ecuador pull off the draw.

In a ceremony honor Donovan prior to the match, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati presented Landon Donovan with a lightbox jersey – a piece of art that creatively took 19 jerseys from Donovan’s career in a display illuminating in front of a background showing his teammates’ names etched into the oak.

The USA next faces Honduras on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMas and ESPN Deportes Radio.

Landon Donovan Rundown:Final game stats:

40 minutes; subbed off in the 41st minute by Joe Corona

Donovan hit the right post in the 25th minute

Career stats:

157 games (second all-time)

142 starts (first all-time)

12,853 minutes (first all-time)

57 goals (first all-time)

58 assists (first all-time)

172 points (first all-time)

19 appearances as captain (11-3-5)

MNT record when Donovan makes an appearance: 90-36-31

Goal Scoring Rundown:USA – Mix Diskerud (DeAndre Yedlin), 5th minute: Landon Donovan began the sequence with a cross from the left side, nearly connecting with Jozy Altidore at the right post. Altidore could not strike cleanly, but he recollected and dished to his left to Yedlin. Yedlin spotted Diskerud near the top of the box, and from 14 yards out, Diskerud snuck his right-footed shot inside the right post past Ecuador goalkeeper Maximo Bangura. The goal was Diskerud’s second of the year and fourth of his National Team career. The assist was Yedlin’s first. USA 1, ECU 0 (SEE GOAL)

ECU – Enner Valencia, 88th minute: The Ecuador forward delivered a wicked shot from outside the box, a dipping ball that rose over USA defender Tim Ream and then dipped down and inside the right post as U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan did not even move. USA 1, ECU 1 (SEE GOAL)

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:ECU – Maximo Bangura, 9th minute: Landon Donovan nearly gave the crowd what it was hoping for when he headed the ball on goal from close range. But Bangura spoiled the moment with a diving save to his left to hold Donovan at bay and keep the USA lead at one goal.

USA – Brad Guzan, 27th and 28th minutes: Ecuador challenged the net three times in a one-minute stretch, but Guzan stepped up in each moment to maintain the USA’s 1-0 lead. Renato Ibarra had a couple steps on U.S. defender Timmy Chandler, and Guzan stepped up off of his line with a glove save. Ecuador developed another shot toward the left post following the ensuing corner kick that Guzan thwarted. Then, in the 28th minute, Cristhian Noboa hit a bending right-footed shot toward the far right post, and Guzan parried it away for the save.

ECU – Maximo Bangura, 45th+2 minute: Just before halftime, Bobby Wood crossed from the right side to DeAndre Yedlin in the middle of the box. Bangura made the foot save from the edge of the six-yard box.

USA – John Brooks, 57th minute: Ecuador’s Juan Cazares rushed down toward the right side of the box and cut back in to his left, only to see the U.S. center back Brooks track back to block his shot.

USA – Brad Guzan, 78th minute: Ecuador maintained the brunt of possession in the second half, and in the latter stages Cristhian Noboa had some space above the box. Guzan had little issues securing the save on a shot that was headed toward the left side of the frame.

USA – Tim Ream, 87th minute: Joao Plata got behind the U.S. MNT defense with a run on the left side of the box. Ream, who entered the match in the second half, had a strong recovery to block the high-percentage scoring attempt with his left foot.

Milestone Watch:

Landon Donovan made his U.S. MNT-record 142nd start, and his 157 career appearances rank second only to Cobi Jones (164 from 1992-2004).

Donovan’s 15 years of play tie for the most in U.S. MNT history with former goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Next on the Schedule:The U.S. MNT hosts Honduras at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting lineup featured Brad Guzan in goal for a second straight match, and a defensive line of right back Timmy Chandler, left back Greg Garza and center backs John Brooks and Michael Orozco. Garza earned his second straight cap and first start after making his MNT debut as a second-half sub on Sept. 3 against the Czech Republic.

The midfield in the USA’s 4-4-2 formation included DeAndre Yedlin on the right flank, Joe Gyau on the left and Alejando Bedoya and Mix Diskerud in the center. This was Yedlin’s first start and eighth cap. Gyau made his second straight MNT start.

The front line featured captain Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore.

The starting lineup featured seven members of the USA’s 2014 FIFA World Cup team: Altidore, Bedoya, Brooks, Chandler, Diskerud, Guzan and Yedlin.

With Gyau injuring his left leg in the 15th minute, Klinsmann was forced to use an early sub. He brought in Bobby Wood in the 22nd minute. Wood earned his second cap.

In the 62nd minute, the USA made two defensive subs with Omar Gonzalez and Tim Ream replacing Orozco and Brooks, and midfielder Alfredo Morales entered for Bedoya.

Forward Chris Wondolowski replaced Altidore in the 76th minute, and Altidore passed off the captain’s armband to him.